Karnataka Minister for Large and Medium Industries and Vijayapura District In-charge, MB Patil, has announced plans to construct a 0.8 tmc capacity water reservoir near Babanagar to maximise utilisation of the district’s share under the Tubachi–Babaleshwar irrigation project.

During an inspection with officials and farmers, Minister Patil said a detailed project report (DPR) will soon be prepared and submitted to the government. Around 500 acres of government land are available for the project, eliminating the need for land acquisition. He added that the site’s natural slope and existing resources make it ideal for water storage. The proposal has been discussed with the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister and is likely to be included in the next State Budget.

Vijayapura currently uses only two TMC of its 5.5 tmc allocation; the reservoir will store excess monsoon water for irrigation and replenishing tanks and streams. Senior officials from Karnataka Neeravari Nigam and local farmers attended the inspection.